Top 20 Sporting Events In America

Top 20 American Sporting Events

Getty Images

America does things a little bit differently than the rest of the world. It's especially true when it comes sports. Just because the rest of the planet likes a particular sport, it doesn't mean the USA will follow suit.

Let's take a look at the top 20 sporting events in the Good Ol' US of A:

Honorable Mention - Boston Marathon

Getty Images

Honorable Mention - Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is a great annual event that showcases some of the most elite athletes in the world. It just isn't a big draw in the scheme of things.

Honorable Mention - Little League World Series

Getty Images

Honorable Mention - Little League World Series

How awesome is the LLWS? Youngsters get a chance to live their dreams before they can even drive a car. Each August America pays special attention to the LLWS.

20. Indy 500

Getty Images

20. Indy 500

This used to be the great American race. It captivated audiences nationwide each May, but in recent years interest in the Indy 500 has dropped significantly. Still, it's American through and through.

19. College World Series

Getty Images

19. College World Series

College baseball is a niche sport, but it still piques casual fan interest each June. However, for those who have a horse in the race, the CWS is big time.

18. MLB All-Star Game

Getty Images

18. MLB All-Star Game

The Mid-Summer Classic is usually just that. But due to the regionalization of MLB, it's not near the classic it used to be. Maybe fans would care more if went back to being a full on exhibition, rather than a game that determines home field advantage in the World Series. Lame rule.

17. NBA All-Star Weekend

Getty Images

17. NBA All-Star Weekend

What true American sports fan doesn't love NBA All-Star weekend? The three-point shootout, the dunk contest and of course the actual ASG. No league does an All-Star event better than the NBA.

16. NFL Draft

USA Today Sports

16. NFL Draft

This just goes to show how immensely popular football is in America today. The NFL Draft this year got higher ratings than every game in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals.

15. US Open (Golf)

Getty Images

15. US Open (Golf)

The US Open is the second biggest golf Major in America every year. Because of its ties to Father's Day, the US Open usually holds a special place in the hearts of many fans.

14. Rose Bowl

USA Today Sports

14. Rose Bowl

The 'Grand Daddy Of Them All' is still just that, even in today's watered down culture of college bowl games. What CFB fan doesn't love tuning in to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day? It's really un-American not to.

13. US Open (Tennis)

Getty Images

13. US Open (Tennis)

The US Open is no Wimbledon, but when it comes to this great land, it doesn't get any bigger in the world of tennis. Even non-tennis fans pay attention a little bit to the US Open.

12. Kentucky Derby

USA Today Sports

12. Kentucky Derby

Like baseball and boxing, horse racing's popularity has fallen off in recent years. But as we saw this year, when there's a potential Triple Crown winner, people still care. The Belmont Stakes in 2014 drew the biggest sports TV ratings in America since the Sochi Olympics.

11. Daytona 500

USA Today Sports

11. Daytona 500

Some people refuse to call NASCAR as sport. But regardless of your thoughts on that topic, there's no denying the popularity and mystique of the Daytona 500. But why NASCAR runs its biggest race of the year first instead of last, is a bit puzzling.

10. World Cup

Getty Images

10. World Cup

Four years from now the World Cup might rank substantially higher on this list. Soccer's popularity is growing in America, whether people like it or not. Just in terms of the tournament concept, the WC is undoubtedly the greatest tournament in all of sports.

9. The Masters

USA Today Sports

9. The Masters

Talk about sports tournaments with a special feel to them, The Masters is an American classic. The four-day tournament for the green jacket is about as good as golf gets.

8. Stanley Cup Finals

Getty Images

8. Stanley Cup Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals don't draw mega ratings like some of the other events on this list, but it's sure hard to find more loyal sports fans. Hockey fans might be the best in all the land.

7. World Series

USA Today Sports

7. World Series

Here we have what used to be the King of US sporting events. The WS did blockbuster ratings back 30-40 years ago, but that was also at a time when people had about five channels. Still, the Fall Classic is must-see sports TV.

6. BCS National Title Game

USA Today Sports

6. BCS National Title Game

Even though the BCS system is terrible, college football is still immensely popular. The title game figures to get better from here on out, as there's finally a playoff system in place.

5. NBA Finals

Getty Images

5. NBA Finals

The NBA Finals are back to being a huge draw after some down years in the 2000s. 2014's ratings were up from last year's already good ratings - 9.3 from 9.1 (over 15 million people on average for each game).

4. Winter Olympics

USA Today Sports

4. Winter Olympics

While the Winter Olympics aren't for everyone, they still draw in America's attention. When there's patriotism involved, ratings go up.

3. NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Getty Images

3. NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

March Madness is something else. Behind the World Cup it's easily the best tournament in all of sports. For many, it is the best. 68 teams fight it out over a three week period in a tournament that 'mad' just starts to describe.

2. Summer Olympics

Getty Images

2. Summer Olympics

Summer Olympics > Winter Olympics, it's just that simple. More people care, because the events are more interesting. You don't even have to be a sports fan to like the Summer Games.

1. Super Bowl

Getty Images

1. Super Bowl

Everybody knows that the Super Bowl is the King of American sporting events. It's a spectacle, over-the-top and usually entertaining to watch. But even if the game sucks, people will still tune in just for the commercials and halftime show. That's how big of an event the SB is. Frankly, it's about time the day after becomes a national holiday.